Apparatus for Target Shooting and Projectile Containment

ABSTRACT

An Apparatus for Target Shooting and Projectile Containment, known as a Frag Shield, comprising a first, absorption, layer and a backing layer with an open space between the layers, thereby dissipating energy from projectiles as they pass through the first layer, stopping the projectile with the backing layer, and containing the projectile or particle fragments between the layers.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

This application does not claim priority from another application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of Target Shooting, Shooting Training, and the like.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable to this invention.

REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable to this invention.

BACKGROUND

Currently, in the target shooting, police and military training, and general sporting industries there exists a strong need for a target that is both durable, and safe for participants and bystanders.

When a bullet impacts a steel target it fragments into pieces, which ricochet unpredictably. This phenomenon is especially exaggerated when using jacketed bullets, because the jacket separates from the bullet's core and becomes a flying, washer shaped, razor blade. The ricochet problem is further exasperated as the steel target deteriorates after multiple bullet impacts, which causes the steel target surface to become pitted and bowed, resulting in larger and less predictable fragment distribution. In addition, pieces of the steel target itself may dislodge and become flying fragments themselves.

To reduce the risk of injury from this type of shrapnel, various methods have been used with only limited success. For example, the United States Marine Corps recommends mounting steel targets with an orientation of 17-degree forward tilt on either a swing or pivot mount. The intent of this mounting is for the bullet fragments to be directed downward toward the ground, rather than back towards the shooter. However, because of the unpredictable nature of the fragment ricochets the USMC still recommends a minimum safe shooting distance of 25 yards for handguns and 50 yards for rifles. In addition, the ricocheting bullets and bullet fragments impact the ground or flooring in front of the target with enough energy to quickly erode the area where the bullets impact the ground or flooring.

This shortcoming is especially problematic in indoor shooting ranges, or outdoor ranges, where the bullets ricochet into a hard surface. Not only do the impacts erode the surface, they also cause secondary ricochets from the bullets impacting the hard surfaces.

Competition shooting, law enforcement, and military training scenarios prefer close range engagement with the targets to simulate varied environments. However, because of unpredictable fragment ricochet distributions, close range shooting at targets cannot safely be executed without the use of specialized ammunition, such as frangible bullets. Currently the only generally accepted close quarter engagement procedure designed minimize personnel injury, is to use frangible ammunition or destructible paper targets. Frangible bullets are bullets that are designed to disintegrate into powder upon striking a solid target. Paper targets, in contrast to steel targets, allow the bullet to pass through the target. By doing so the paper target eliminates ricochets but requires the area behind the target to be either completely clear or requires the use a backstop or bullet trap. This greatly reduces the flexibility of using paper targets or competition or training in areas with limited space. Thus, utilizing these procedures to ensure shooter safety is expensive, time consuming, and not ideal.

Furthermore, steel targets are not suitable for use in indoor ranges because of the unpredictable bullet fragment ricochets. The fragments ricochet from the target randomly and impact the hard-interior surfaces of the indoor range, causing the fragments to further ricochet off of the interior surfaces. In doing so, the fragments damage the shooting range structures and create unsafe shooter conditions.

In addition to the danger from fragments hitting people, the bullet fragments generated from the bullet hitting the steel target are extremely hot. In outdoor shooting environments the heat from these fragments can cause fires, as frequently happens in the western United States.

Over the years, many attempts have been made to reduce the problems inherent with shooting targets, but with only limited success as the following examples show.

Shooting targets come in many different varieties with the first targets being simple cardboard or metal silhouettes. The inherent problem with the cardboard target is that they are not durable enough to withstand repeated bullet impacts and therefore deteriorate very quickly, sometimes in as little as half a dozen impacts. In contrast metal targets can withstand repeated shooting sessions but are heavy and cause bullet and bullet fragments to ricochet when struck. Furthermore, over time as the metal deteriorates, pieces of the target may break off and become dangerous flying shrapnel.

As polymers became more available, targets began appearing made from polymers to improve the durability of the targets without the heavy weight of all metal targets. Some of these targets are made purely from rubber, or plastic, to absorb the energy from the projectiles and thereby improve the target's durability. However, targets made purely from polymers can deteriorate quickly from repeated use. To alleviate this, some of these targets are reinforced by metal mesh to improve longevity. U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,694 is one example of this type of target, wherein a metal mesh is embedded between two layers of polymers to improve the strength of the target.

However, even with reinforcement, polymer targets are not as durable as all metal targets, Furthermore, unless very thick, these targets allow bullets to pass through the target with enough energy to cause damage to anything behind the target.

Other target designs, such as U.S. Pat. No. 10,012,482, use a polymer sheet backed by an impenetrable material to trap the bullets within the polymer layer. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/073,248 works similarly, but with a cardboard cover over the polymer layer to give a shooter a visual target. While improving the safety of the targets, both have limited life spans and leave the users with a contaminated polymer, toxic metal mix that is difficult to dispose of or recycle.

The below described new apparatus was developed to overcome the limitations inherent in the above described targets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present shooting target apparatus, called the Frag Shield, and referred to hereinafter as “the Frag Shield” or “the apparatus for target shooting,” allows for both improved shooter safety and easier disposal of bullets and bullet fragments.

The Frag Shield overcomes the above described problems by having a first layer composed of a polymer, elastomer, or other flexible material, detachably connected to a backing layer composed of metal, polymers, or rigid material, and an open area between the layers. This allows the Frag Shield to slow a bullet as it passes through the absorption layer, then stop the bullet with the backing layer.

The spent projectile, and fragments thereof, are either contained in the open layer between the absorption layer and the backing layer or redirected through the open layer in a safe direction. Thus, the bullets and bullet fragments are no longer a danger to the shooter and, in the case of containment, are safely contained for collection and recycling or safe disposal.

To achieve this, the absorption layer absorbs energy from the bullet as it passes through the absorption layer. Thus, the bullet has lower kinetic energy when it impacts the backing layer, which reduces the energy of the bullet fragments produced by the impact of the bullet with the backing layer. Furthermore, by having an open layer between the absorption and backing layers the bullet fragments are able to ricochet between the absorption and backing layers, further dissipating their energy.

The unique functionality of the Frag Shield incurs many benefits including; increased longevity, containment of bullets and fragments thereof, and flexibility in mounting, among others.

By reducing the energy of the bullet before it impacts the backing layer the longevity of the backing layer is increased because the impacts cause less damage to backing layer due to the lower energy.

The Frag Shield is also able to contain many, or in some embodiments all, of the bullets and bullet fragments by reducing their kinetic energy. Furthermore, this also increase the safety benefits of the Frag Shield because the surface of the backing layer becomes pitted and bowed, with the ricochets from the bullets becoming increasingly erratic as the surface of the backing layer deteriorates. Thus, by safely containing the bullet fragments, the Frag Shield further protects against erratic bullet fragments.

In addition, the Frag Shield offers great flexibility in how it is mounted, because it is capable of handling bullets fired at the face of the frag shield from perpendicular to sixty degrees in any direction off of perpendicular. This allows the Frag Shield to be mounted at a downward angle, as the USMC does with regular steel targets, to increase shooter safety.

Testing of the Frag Shield confirmed its many benefits and improvements over existing designs. During testing, the Frag Shield was placed in a forward angled position, then enclosed in cardboard, with cardboard also placed on the ground in front of the Frag Shield. An opening through the cardboard allowed bullets to directly impact the Frag Shield without first passing through the cardboard.

After approximately 300 rounds of various calibers of ammunition for both pistols and rifles were fired at the Frag Shield, the cardboard surroundings were thoroughly inspected. Of the several hundred bullets impacting the Frag Shield, with corresponding fragments, fewer than ten impact points were found on the cardboard around the Frag Shield, with none of the impacts penetrating the 2-ply cardboard. Furthermore, the impacts were all located to the sides of the Frag Shield, indicating that none of the ricochets were in the direction of the shooter.

In addition to inspecting the cardboard around surrounding the Frag Shield, the cardboard under the Frag Shield was inspected. Even with the Frag Shield in a forward angled position, which in other designs causes severe erosion of the ground from ricochets, the cardboard had only a few impacts penetrating the cardboard, with multiple pieces of bullet fragments laying on the surface of the cardboard.

Thus, the testing confirmed that unlike existing designs the Frag Shield absorbs enough energy from the bullets and bullet fragments that they are no longer capable of penetrating resilient surfaces. This not only increases the longevity of the Frag Shield and the surrounding shooting range, but also reduces the danger to shooters and observers from ricochets by absorbing the bullet's energy and redirecting or containing the ricochets.

The following generally describes possible embodiments of the Frag Shield, though as will be obvious to one of skill in the art many other configurations are also possible. In one possible embodiment, the open layer between the other layers is not bounded by either the absorption layer or the backing layer or other covering. Thus, bullets and bullet fragments that ricochet off the backing layer are directed through the open layer toward the unbounded edges of the open layer, then out of the unbounded open layer in a safe direction. In some cases where most of the energy of the bullet has been spent, the bullet will fall harmlessly out of the bottom of the frag shield.

In this and other embodiments, the absorption layer is attached to a spacer, which is then attached to the backing layer. In another possible embodiment, the absorption layer is directly attached to the backing layer. In both embodiments the attachments are made so that an open layer exists between the absorption layer and the backing layer. Furthermore, the layers may be attached in these and other embodiments using fasteners, adhesives, or features of the layers themselves that secure the layers together. In some embodiments, such as those using adhesives, the attachment between the layers may be permanent. Alternatively, in other embodiments, such as those using bolts or other fasteners, the attachment may be detachable so that one layer can be replaced without replacing another layer.

In another possible embodiment, the absorption layer includes an edge extension that extends to, or past, the face of the backing layer, thereby adding additional containment and protection against bullet fragments ricocheting out of the open layer. In some versions of this embodiment, the edge extension surrounds the open layer to create an enclosed chamber between the composite layer and the backing layer. In other embodiments, the extensions only enclose one or more of the sides of the open layer.

In other possible embodiments, the absorption layer may be directly attached to the backing layer, with the open layer being created by the shape of either the absorption layer or backing layer. More specifically, either layer may include a bend or bends that offset the majority of the layer from each other.

In further embodiments, the absorption layer and backing layer may be movably connected using a hinge or flexible link between the layers. This allows the absorption layer and backing layer to move independently of each other. When configured in this way and struck by a bullet each layer may move independently, thereby further absorbing energy from the bullet or bullet fragments, because of the transfer of momentum from the bullet to the layers.

Alternatively, in other embodiments, the absorption layer and backing layer may be mounted in line, but without being directly connected to each other. For example, the absorption layer may be hung, or mounted on stands, in front of the backing layer with an open layer between them. Or both layers may be hung, or mounted on stands, independently, with an open layer between them. Again, this allows the layers to move independently, thereby further absorbing energy from the bullet or bullet fragments.

In these and other possible embodiments, the composite layer of the new target may be composed of wood, wood composites, fabrics, polymers, elastomers, or composite materials such as Kevlar or fiberglass.

In these and other possible embodiments the backing layer may be composed of iron, steel, nickel, other metals, polymers, plastics, ceramics, or any other material of sufficient hardness and durability.

These and other possible embodiments may be most effectively used by a shooter shooting bullets at the Frag Shield from a distance of at least one (1) yard up to a distance of one thousand (1000) yards. The Frag Shield may be used at other distances, but this range od distances is preferred. The shooter's position relative to the front face of the Frag Shield should be within a range of perpendicular to the face of the Frag Shield to within sixty (60) degrees of perpendicular of the face of the Frag Shield. Or stated another way, the angle of the shooter's bullet path to the face of the Frag Shield should not be greater than sixty degrees off of perpendicular to the face of the Frag Shield.

In another possible embodiment, the apparatus for target shooting, also known as the Frag Shield, comprises a first layer; a backing layer; and an open layer, wherein the first layer is located relative to the backing layer such that the open layer is formed between the first layer and the backing layer.

In another possible embodiment, the first layer is removably attached to the backing layer.

In these and other embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a spacer operable to locate the first layer and the backing layer; with the spacer being operable to form the open layer.

In another embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a flexible connecter removably attached to the first layer and the backing layer operable to locate the first layer and the backing layer; and the flexible connector is operable to form the open layer.

In another embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a means for hanging the first layer in line with the backing layer; wherein the means for hanging is operable to form the open layer.

In these and other embodiments, the first layer of the apparatus may include an extended edge operable to enclose the open layer on at least three sides.

In these and other embodiments, the backing layer of the apparatus may comprise a sheet with at least one bend, wherein the bend is operable to locate the backing layer relative to the first layer and form the open layer.

In these and other embodiments, the first layer of the apparatus may be comprised of at least one of a group consisting of a polymer, a plastic, a rubber, a fabric, a wood, a wood composite, or a Kevlar composite.

In these and other embodiments, the backing layer of the apparatus may be comprised of at least one of a group consisting of iron, steel, nickel, ceramic, concrete, rock, plastic, or hardened polymer.

The apparatus may be used by shooting projectiles at a shooting target comprised of a first layer, a backing layer, and an open layer between the first layer and the backing layer, from a predetermined direction at a predetermined distance. Furthermore, the predetermined direction comprises a range of directions from perpendicular to the first layer to sixty degrees off of perpendicular of the first layer of said shooting target, and the predetermined distance is a range from 1 to 1,000 yards.

As will be obvious to anyone of skill in the art, numerous modifications to the features described and shown are possible. Accordingly, the described and illustrated embodiments are to be construed as merely exemplary of the inventive concepts expressed herein and addressed in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of one possible embodiment of the Frag Shield.

FIG. 2 is a front view of one possible embodiment of the Frag Shield.

FIG. 3 is a section view of one possible embedment of the Frag Shield.

FIG. 4 is a section view of one embodiment of the Frag Shield showing a bullet and bullet fragments.

FIG. 5 is a front view of one embodiment of the Frag Shield with an absorption layer with edge extensions.

FIG. 6 is a section view of one embodiment of the Frag Shield with an absorption layer with edge extensions.

FIG. 7 is a section view of one embodiment of the Frag Shield with an absorption layer with edge extensions showing a bullet and bullet fragments.

FIG. 8 is a section view of one embodiment of the Frag Shield with the absorption layer directly attached to the backing layer.

FIG. 9 is a section view of one embodiment of the Frag Shield with the absorption layer and backing layer hanging without being directly attached to each other.

FIG. 10 is a front view of one embodiment of the Frag Shield with the absorption layer and backing layer hanging without being directly attached to each other.

FIG. 11 is a section view of one embodiment of the Frag Shield with the absorption layer and backing layer attached using a hinge.

FIG. 12 is a front view of one embodiment of the Frag Shield with the absorption layer and backing layer mounted inline on stands without being directly attached to each other.

FIG. 13 is a side view of one embodiment of the Frag Shield with the absorption layer and backing layer mounted inline on stands without being directly attached to each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present shooting target apparatus, also called the Frag Shield, greatly improves shooter safety, range and target longevity, and ease of use in comparison to existing designs.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough description of embodiments of the Frag Shield. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the embodiments of the Frag Shield may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the many benefits of the Frag Shield.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 through 3, an absorption layer 101 is removably attached to the backing layer 103 by a spacer standoff 102, a nut 106, and a bolt 105, so that an open layer 104 is formed between the absorption layer 101 and the backing layer 103.

Referring next to FIG. 4, which illustrates a bullet 107 impacting the Frag Shield, a bullet 107 passes through the absorption layer 101, then the open layer 104, before impacting with the backing layer 103. As the bullet 107 impacts the backing layer 103, the bullet 107 usually fragments, as shown by bullets fragments 108.

The bullet fragments 108 are then contained by the back side of the absorption layer 101. In this particular embodiment, the open layer 104 is not bounded by either the absorption layer 101 or the backing layer 103, so the bullet fragments 108 may fall downward, out of the open layer 104 once the bullet fragments' 108 kinetic energy is spent. Even if the bullet's 107 kinetic energy is not spent, the bullet 107 and bullet fragments 108 are redirected out of the open layer in a safe direction.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, which illustrate another possible embodiment of the Frag Shield, an absorption layer 501 is removably attached to the backing layer 502 by a spacer standoff 507, a nut 505, and a bolt 506, so that an open layer 504 is formed between the absorption layer 501 and the backing layer 502. In this embodiment, the absorption layer 501 has an extended edge 503 that extends from the absorption layer 501 to the backing layer 502, thereby bounding the open layer 504 to make it fully enclosed. When the backing layer 502 is struck by a bullet 509, the bullet fragments 508 are fully contained within the open layer 504.

Referring next to FIG. 8, which illustrates an embodiment of the Frag Shield with an absorption layer 802 directly attached to a backing layer 801. The absorption layer 802 is removably attached to the backing layer 801 using a bolt 805 and nut 804. In this embodiment, an open layer 803 is created by several bends in the backing layer 801 which offset most of the surface of the backing layer 801.

Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10, which illustrates an embodiment of the Frag Shield with an absorption layer 902 and backing layer 901 that are not directly attached to each other. Instead of being directly attached the absorption layer 902 and backing layer 901 are hanging in line with each other using eyebolts 903 connected to each layer using nuts 904. By being hung apart, but in line, an open layer 905 is created between the absorption layer 902 and backing layer 901. Being configured in this way allows the Frag Shield to absorb more energy from bullets or bullet fragments as they impact the absorption layer 902 and backing layer 901, because a bullet's impact with each layer absorbs extra energy in the form of a transfer of momentum from the bullet to the absorption layer 902 and backing layer 901.

Referring next to FIG. 11, which illustrates an embodiment of the Frag Shield with an absorption layer 1102 flexibly attached to a backing layer 1101 using a hinge 1103. In this embodiment, the hinge 1103 is mounted such that an open layer 1104 is created between the absorption layer 1102 and backing layer 1103. Similarly to being hung independently, being configured in this way allows the Frag Shield to absorb more energy from bullets or bullet fragments as they impact the absorption layer 1102 and backing layer 1101, because a bullet's impact with each layer absorbs extra energy in the form of a transfer of momentum from the bullet to the absorption layer 1102 and backing layer 1101. This effect can also be enhanced by mounting the Frag Shield so that the backing layer 1101 is forwardly angled relative to the ground. Doing this allows the absorption layer 1102 to hang further from the backing layer 1101. By increasing the size of the open layer 1104, a bullet passing through the absorption layer 1102 transfers more energy to the absorption layer 1102 in the form of a transfer of momentum between the two that occurs over a longer time interval because of the increased distance over which the bullet and absorption layer 1102 travel together as the bullet passes through the absorption layer 1102.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, which illustrate an embodiment of the Frag Shield with an absorption layer 1201 and backing layer 1204 mounted on a stand 1203 using mounting rods 1202. By being mounted apart, but in line, an open layer 1205 is created between the absorption layer 1201 and backing layer 1204. Being configured in this way allows the Frag Shield to absorb more energy from bullets or bullet fragments as they impact the absorption layer 1201 and backing layer 1204, because a bullet's impact with each layer absorbs extra energy in the form of a transfer of momentum from the bullet to the absorption layer 1201 and backing layer 1204. As will be obvious to one of skill in the art, the mounting rods 1202 may be made from either a rigid material, such as steel, or from a flexible material, such as spring steel. By being either rigid, flexible, or a combination of both, the mounting rods 1202 can be used to augment the amount of energy absorbed by the absorption layer, thereby allowing the amount of energy absorption to be tailored to specific conditions as required.

Numerous modifications to the features described and shown are possible. Accordingly, the described and illustrated embodiments are to be construed as merely exemplary of the inventive concepts expressed herein and addressed in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for target shooting comprising: a first layer; a backing layer; and an open layer, wherein said first layer is located relative to said backing layer such that said open layer is formed between said first layer and said backing layer.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first layer is removably attached to said backing layer.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising; a spacer operable to locate said first layer and said backing layer; and said spacer is operable to form said open layer.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising; a flexible connecter removably attached to said first layer and said backing layer operable to locate said first layer and said backing layer; and said flexible connector is operable to form said open layer.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising; a means for hanging said first layer in line with said backing layer; and said means for hanging is operable to form said open layer.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first layer includes an extended edge operable to enclose said open layer on at least three sides.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said backing layer comprises a sheet with at least one bend; and wherein said bend is operable to locate said backing layer relative to said first layer and form said open layer.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first layer comprises at least one of a group consisting of a polymer, a plastic, a rubber, a fabric, a wood, a wood composite, or a Kevlar composite.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said backing layer comprises at least one of a group consisting of iron, steel, nickel, ceramic, concrete, rock, plastic, or hardened polymer.
 10. A method of target shooting comprising: shooting projectiles at a shooting target comprised of a first layer, a backing layer, with an open layer between said first layer and said backing layer, from a predetermined direction at a predetermined distance.
 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined direction comprises a range of directions from perpendicular to said first layer to sixty degrees off of perpendicular of said first layer of said shooting target.
 12. A method according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined distance is a range from 1 to 1,000 yards. 